White Sands Pupfish set to return in 2015

White Sands to get new uniforms next season

Every summer night in Alamogordo one can find the White Sands Pupfish baseball team playing against the backdrop of the Sacramento Mountains. The Pecos League of Professional Baseball might be one of the lowest independent leagues in all of baseball, however it is not stopping ballplayers from carrying on their dreams of being professional athletes.

These players are not making million dollar contracts nor are they receiving any billion dollar endorsements. Each ballplayer plays for the love of the game and with the thought, that one day, the right scout will arrive and see them shine and possibly give them an opportunity climbing up the ladder of professional baseball.

With independent baseball comes many hardships. The Pupfish have had an up and down season, especially losing their manager during the climax of the season and having their No. 2 starter traded to Roswell.

Despite all the hardships and sacrifices made, the players have managed to fall within six games of the .500 mark and were nine games away from second place. According to assistant city manager Matt McNeile the Pupfish are here to stay.

"The community really came back and supported the Pupfish, thanks to Wally Anderson for his efforts to go out and get sponsorships," said McNeile. "We're real grateful to Wally and our core group of volunteers that show up to every game, about six people that help with the stats, running the scoreboard, helping with the front gate and feeding the teams after every game."

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He added, "Of course we're also very grateful to our host families that house the players all season. I would call this season a success. The Pupfish will return next season, we have that commitment from the Pecos League. My understanding is that it might go back to eight teams rather than 10 next year."

The Las Vegas Train Robbers and Douglas Diablos have already announced that they will end their contracts and not return next season.

"That's the key, I think this is a great activity for the citizens to be able to attend and watch professional baseball," said McNeile. "With the Pecos League reality TV show, it got people more interested in the league. At least three families came this summer, because of the TV show, they were traveling to all the different stadiums in the Pecos League."

White Sands has averaged 188 fans a game. The attendance figures are similar to the 2011 squad that went 41-29 and finished one and a half games out of first place, making the programs only playoff appearance in team history.

"It was unfortunate that Darrell (Carrillo) left, but I understand why he did," said McNeile. "I think J.J. (Constantino) has done a good job of keeping everything organized and going forward. We're close to where we were in 2011. If we get a manager in place in the offseason and he starts signing players and building a team, that excitement will carry over into next year."

He added, "I think we will have a good season. Because that was a positive experience for them, I think Wally will get even more businesses involved next year. Next year we will have new uniforms for the first time in four years. That will draw some excitement."

The Pecos League also labeled the Griggs Sports Complex as having the best playing surface in the league compared to other stadiums. An estimated $4,000 has been raised from concessions, official numbers will be announced at the completion of the season.

"I think the words out that we have one of the best playing surfaces in the Pecos League," said McNeile. "That was real evident when you watch the reality TV show. The weather is better here and I think that word is spreading that this is one of the best places to play because of the community support. I think we're catching up. It will be hard to compete with Santa Fe and Alpine because they have a bigger base. We're getting there."

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